Dream of Death City is the debut adult novel by author PJ Nwosu. It is an excellent read, and the first instalment in the new Red Kingdom series. Although there are no other full-size novels, Nwosu has two novellas in the same world available for free. I enjoyed Dream of Death City and its blend of dark fantasy with a decent detective fiction plot. I think this would be the perfect novel for fans of Richard Swan’s Justice of Kings because it is set in a more historical, low-magic world. Still, I think anyone who likes darker fantasy detective stories would enjoy their time spent with Dream of Death City.

Dream of Death CityI must say, I did struggle at the start of reading Dream of Death City. I was picking up the novel at a hectic time and ended up with many unexpected demands for my attention, so I could only read it chapter by chapter a few times a week for at least the first half of the novel. I found it quite frustrating as this was the introduction to a fascinating new world, but there was a fair amount of chunky world-building and longer chapters that I just was not taking in. It does take a while to understand the different factions at play in Dream of Death City and get used to the characters’ dialect. I struggled at the start because of how sporadically I could actually sit and read. If this were not a book I was reviewing for Grimdark Magazine, I would have shelved it and picked it up later when I had the time to enjoy it properly.

As it is, I am happy that I persevered. Nwosu’s world in Dream of Death City is rich, and there is so much potential to explore in religion, law, and magic that I am looking forward to reading the rest of her series. I am a reader who loves extra snippets of detail, so each chapter starting with an epigraph from the ‘Red Reform Laws’ added more information about the history of the Red Kingdom, its caste structure, and the different legal and religious powers in the world. Nwosu also has a map, glossary, and extra character art on her website, which I found interesting. Still, because they were available separately and not in the book’s main body, I could not refer back to them as much as I would like.

Dream of Death City follows two key characters from the legal branch of the Red Kingdom, Polity House. The first and main character is Thora, a Dust Caste slave who works undercover to assist in the investigations of Polity House. The second key character is Diem Lakein, a recently demoted investigator. Thora and Diem are sent to the titular Death City, an icy and superstitious settlement far from the capital and the terrifying oversight of the religious police and the lawmakers of the mainland, to look into the disappearance of the daughter of a wealthy and influential Sun Nobel. But this would not be a thrilling detective novel if it was an easily solved missing person case. There are many unpredictable layers of deception at work in Death City, and after the first few chapters settle in, Nwosu has the reader gripped. Dream of Death City is more than just a fantasy detective story. She has created a richly detailed world that shows the corruption at play in this patriarchal society, the religious zealotry of the Red Priests and their Purge House, and a fascinating magical system and world history about which I am desperate to learn more.

My favourite part of Dream of Death City, though, is not how well written it is or the engaging prose; it is the compelling characterisation of Thora and Diem and the secondary characters too. One of these, soldier Honnan Skyin, even warrants his own novella. The main two characters are firmly in the ‘have-nots’ of this world. It has scarred them in so many ways but also inspired them. I wanted to know as much as possible about them, understand their pasts, and predict their futures. There are so many details woven through about the characters, making them seem so vivid and human rather than come across as a trope or irrelevant throwaways.

This is what will make me stick with Nwosu’s series for the long haul, and I am excited to sink my teeth into the rest of them. However, as a standalone novel, it is still a highly satisfying read. The mystery element is a huge part of the Dream of Death City plot, and it is well executed and concludes satisfactorily. I am left wanting more from the characters, but I do not feel hard done to about how the investigation aspects of the story ended. This dark novel touches on some heavy themes, but it is not unnecessarily graphic. I think the GdM crowd will enjoy it, and I am very grateful to PJ Nwosu for sending over an eARC for me to be able to review it.

In 2019 my health started going down hill and I didn't take into consideration what that would mean for my book reviewing. Sadly, I've been trying to play catch up for years and it's been affecting my ability to keep up with present day tasks. So I greatly apologize for this but I am going to clear out all these older review books and focus on present day. I will come back and update this review if I end up reading the book, which is very possible as a lot of these books are still ones I would like to read, I just don't think the pressure looming over me is helpful. Thank you for giving me a chance to early read these books and I am so sorry I wasn't able to provide what was needed.

Dnf at 65% I really tried to like this because I enjoyed the concept, but it just didn’t hit. I think it could have used more editing to trim the fat on the storytelling

Dream of Death City by PJ Nwosu is a speculative fiction novel that blends elements of fantasy, dystopia, and dark themes, creating a unique narrative experience. The book is set in a world where a city exists at the intersection of life and death, a place where the boundaries between the two are blurry and malleable. This concept is central to the novel’s exploration of the human experience, existence, and the choices that individuals make in the face of mortality.

The protagonist typically faces profound internal and external struggles as they navigate this mysterious and often perilous environment, dealing with death, fate, and the complexities of living in a place where life and death are constantly in flux. Through these challenges, the novel touches on themes of identity, destiny, and the nature of existence.

I loved exploring the dark and mysterious world of death city. the plot and characters had me feeling as if i was there. readers will be hooked and and wanting more. especially if they enjoy a touch of mystery with their fantasy.

This just didn’t do it for me. It was okay at first and intriguing but there as just something about it that I didn’t enjoy. I think it just wasn’t for me.

The synopsis got me at pale moths...

This is a gripping dark fantasy that really plunges readers into a world filled with corruption, mystery, and danger. The author excels in creating an immersive and atmospheric setting with their writing. The richly detailed landscapes were a particular strength that I really enjoyed getting to take in. However, while the novel's premise is engaging, some characters lack the development needed to fully resonate with readers, and the pacing occasionally falters. Despite these issues, the book's compelling narrative and dark, imaginative world make it a captivating read.

The Red Kingdom is a fascinating world. It's dark, brutal, and unforgiving. The caste system is rigid and hopeless, to tell you the truth, and life is hard for anyone who is not a Sun Noble. Resources are scarce, violence is rampant, people are burned at the pyre for the smallest of transgressions, and if you managed to survive that, the black lung will take you to your grave in the end.

It should be dark and depressing, right? And it is dark, but it's strangely beautiful as well. You can see that a lot of love went into creating this world. I already had a glimpse of it in A Pale Box on a Distant Shore where we met some of the characters that Thora and Diem encounter in Death City. This book shows us a bigger glimpse of the Red Kingdom and the capital City of Pillars, but you can see that the Frontier and Death city is a favorite of the author's. 

And I can't complain about it. It's a wonderfully grotesque city and island where the harsh nature and living conditions, as well as the remoteness from the rest of the Kingdom and its rigid Red Doctrine have created a unique culture seeped in superstition and "low ways". And it's hard to blame the citizens of Death City when they have a corpse of a god lying in the waves just offshore, and dead giants walk the sea on hollow moon nights...

I liked the mystery our characters came to unravel as well. What seemed at first glance as a simple kidnaping of a Sun Noble's daughter led them to uncovering a whole human trafficking ring. And transformed everyone involved in fundamental ways. Nobody left Death City the same as they arrived into it, though some didn't leave at all.

So why did I give this book 4 stars instead of 5? That's because I didn't particularly like Thora, who is one of our main characters. Oh, I understand her motivation and her desire to be more than mere Dust, to prove herself to her masters and have a chance at doing more than scrubbing floors and cleaning bedsheets all her life. What I didn't like is how selfish she is in her pursuit of that dream and how willing she is to sacrifice everything and everyone to achieve that goal. 

Her accusing Diem of taking justice in his own hands and doing things an Investigator shouldn't sounded very hypocritical when she is the one who planted evidence, obtained false eyewitness statements, and created a diversion that got a lot of people killed. Not to mentioned persuaded a colleague to go against direct orders and do something that she knew could put her in danger. And when it got that colleague killed, she raged at anyone BUT herself. Yes, she didn't hold her head under the water or hung her from a tree branch afterwards, but Thora was the one who sent her to her death nevertheless. It's that double standard Thora has towards everyone else that seems hypocritical to me. That self-righteousness when she is definitely in the wrong. 

But this is just a small gripe for what is an excellent book. I am definitely looking forward to reading more book about this world and seeing how things progress in the Red Kingdom and outside its borders

.PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The complexity and scope of the world building in this book has me completely in awe. It's uncommon for me to have a completely immersive reading experience because I have trouble visualizing what I'm reading. You can only imagine my amazement and delight upon opening this book and realizing how effortlessly P.J. Nwosu was able to immerse me in her world.
The plot and Nwosu's constructed empire are exactly the same. Its writing is both cohesive and ruthless, with a sense of importance and grace that lets us visualize the journey that Nwosu has taken us on. This writing is dripping with morality, understanding, and fear—poetic realism done to the extreme.

Dream of Death City has all of my favorite fantasy elements: it's dark, the worldbuilding is incredible, has a twisting mystery that will keep you hooked and guessing, and has a brutal political system. I'd highly recommend going into the book blind; it's an absolute treat.

I really, really wanted to like this, but ended up not my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

Unfortunately this was a dnf for me. I might not have been in the right mood to read this! Great premise and ideas, it was me that was the problem!

"Dream of Death City" by PJ Nwosu is a thrilling and imaginative journey into a world of mystery and suspense. Nwosu's storytelling prowess shines as he crafts a tale of intrigue, secrets, and unexpected twists. The book's vividly depicted setting and well-developed characters create an immersive reading experience that keeps readers engaged. Nwosu's ability to build tension and suspense adds depth to the narrative, making it a must-read for those who enjoy stories that keep them on the edge of their seats. "Dream of Death City" is an exhilarating adventure that invites readers to explore a world where nothing is as it seems, leaving them eager to uncover the truth behind the mysteries that unfold.

Pj Nwosu's Dream of Death City is a striking and wholly original mix of dark fantasy and noir mystery set in a world reminiscent of the Bronze Age. The story investigates the disappearances of young noblewomen on the very edges of the Red Kingdom. Nwosu brings up interesting questions about the connection between an empire's metropole and its borderlands, particularly when attempting to enforce religious and cultural uniformity. I also love that it is clearly historically inspired, but the mix of ideas is so original that I wasn't taken out of the book because of historical references or inconsistencies. It was like hearing your favorite chords in a new song that you cannot help but tell everyone to listen to. I am absolutely obsessed with this series and am already a devoted fan of Nwosu after just one book.

It took me 500000000 years to start reading this but it was INCREDIBLE!! The WORLDBUILDING!! The magic system! The complicated relationships between characters! The originality! I'm such a big fan of this book and the writing style, it's detailed enough to give you all the information you need but not in a way that's too overwhelming - it's the perfect level. The story is brutal and horrifying but intriguing and satisfying at the same time. Honestly, big fan. Excited for the second one!

wow wow wow! it (admittedly) took be a bit to get through this book. the pace was a bit slower than i usually prefer but it was worth it!

the perfect blend of mystery, macabre, magic and the tiniest splash of romance, death city is definitely somewhere i am looking forward to getting back to! such a unique world and there is so much left to explore if the map on the authors website is any indication.

thanks to the publisher for providing an arc through netgalley. this title is available now and on kindle unlimited!

Dream of Death City is an epic mystery fantasy, creating a dark and twisted Sherlock Holmes vibe.

This was a book that completely drew me in by the cover, and I’m so glad that it did! This was such a fun read, checking all the boxes on my dark fantasy wish list.

I do wish that maybe there was a bit more at the end, but that may be because I didn’t want the story to end. I needed more from the characters and a bit more plot to really make this a permanent part of my physical library, but I will still keep an eye out for this author as I really enjoyed the book!

The Red Kingdom delivers a chilling and captivating blend of dark fantasy and mystery. With a touch of Sherlock Holmes, the series takes readers on a twisted journey through fantastical realms filled with brutal crimes and eerie lore. The atmospheric setting of Death City sets the stage for an intense and unpredictable narrative. Thora and Diem, our complex protagonists, are compelling characters who face unimaginable challenges as they navigate this treacherous world. The writing is atmospheric and immersive, pulling you deeper into the Red Kingdom's secrets. Fans of dark fantasy and intricate mysteries will be enthralled by this gripping series.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book. I didn't really know what to expect as this is a new author for me. Unfortunately it wasn't my vibe, but the potential is there.

Dream of Death City is a captivating and original fantasy novel that kept me engrossed from start to finish. Although some elements didn't quite resonate with me, I would still recommend this book to others.

One of the novel's major strengths is its world-building, which is masterfully crafted. The author's ingenuity in creating the magic system left a strong impression on me, and I found myself getting lost in this fascinating and immersive world. While the writing style initially took some getting used to, it eventually flowed seamlessly.

However, I did find the pacing of the story to be somewhat problematic. The beginning was a bit sluggish, and it took a while for the action to pick up. Once it did, it was gripping, but the ending felt somewhat abrupt, leaving me wanting more. Additionally, although the crooked beat was an intriguing concept, I felt that it could have been more effectively utilized in the main plot.

Despite these issues, the book was still a compelling read. The characters were fully fleshed out, and their relationships felt genuine. Although Thora and Diem's romance was somewhat awkward for me, it was a sweet and sincere addition to the story. While I wish that Thora's traumatic experience had been explored more deeply, I appreciated that it was acknowledged.

In summary, Dream of Death City is a well-crafted fantasy novel that boasts a unique world and intriguing characters. Although it has its flaws, I would still recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging read, and I eagerly anticipate the author's future works.